Method for treating sensitive teeth

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses sticky dental compositions and methods for treating sensitive teeth. For maximum comfort, an improved dental tray that is thin-walled, flexible and lightweight is used to hold the dental composition adjacent the desired tooth surfaces. The dental compositions include a sticky matrix material into which is dispersed a desensitizing agent such as KNO 3  and other optional dental agents. The matrix material preferably includes carboxypolymethylene that has been partially neutralized with a base to reduce etching of the enamel. The carboxypolymethylene adds a unique stickiness to the dental composition which helps to adhere and retain the soft tray material against the patient&#39;s teeth.

BACKGROUND

1. Related Applications

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/722,549, filed Sep. 27, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,843 which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/378,315, filed Jan. 25, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,182 which is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 08/099,247, filed Jul. 28, 1993, now abandoned, which is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 07/985,700, filed Dec. 3, 1992, now abandoned, which is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 07/718,210, filed Jun. 20, 1991, now abandoned, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 07/497,934, filed Mar. 22, 1990, now abandoned. For purposes of disclosing the present invention, the foregoing applications are incorporated here by specific reference.

2. The Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to sticky compositions and methods for treating sensitive teeth. More particularly, the present invention is directed to dental compositions having a sticky matrix material into which a desensitizing dental agent is dispersed. The novel compositions are used in combination with a thin-walled dental tray in order to provide prolonged treatment of a patient's teeth over extended periods of time.

3. The Relevant Technology

Most people have experienced sensitive teeth at sometime in their lives. Tooth sensitivity is a condition in which a person feels either sudden and intermittent dental pain, or a chronic gnawing dental pain. Sensitive teeth can be an inherited condition or it can be caused by sickness, poor dental hygiene, and/or the use of certain dental agents, such as bleaching agents. For example, peroxides and other bleaching agents have been used in order to cause a whitening effect in a person's teeth. The bleaching action is thought to occur when oxygen radicals released by the decomposing peroxide ions permeate into the person's enamel and attack color-causing molecules found therein.

Unfortunately, due to the existence of natural pores within a person's teeth and/or fissures between the interface between teeth and fillings, it is possible for the peroxide ions and the liberated oxygen radicals to permeate into the pulp of a person's teeth. Since the pulp includes very sensitive nerve endings, the aforementioned pores and/or fissures provide a direct conduit whereby the peroxide ions and oxygen radicals can irritate the nerves within a person's teeth. While the teeth are not generally harmed by peroxide ions and oxygen radicals, they can become overly sensitized over a period of time, causing pain or at least general discomfort.

In order to treat sensitive teeth, toothpastes and other dentifrices that include desensitizing agents have been developed for topical treatment of sensitive teeth. In the case of toothpaste, the person simply brushes his or her teeth with the toothpaste that includes the desensitizing agent. Alternatively, or in conjunction with home use, desensitizing agents can be applied by a dentist during a dental visit in order to provide temporary desensitization. Unfortunately, such desensitizing toothpastes and other dentifrices have obvious drawbacks.

Since desensitizing agents only provide temporary relief of painful or sensitive teeth, desensitizing agents applied by the dentist will quickly wear off, leaving the patient with sensitive teeth shortly following the dental visit and long before the next scheduled visit. On the other hand, although a person can use a desensitizing toothpaste on a regular basis as part of his or her daily oral hygiene, the time in which a person typically brushes does not provide enough contact time in order to provide the same level of pain relief that is afforded by desensitizing treatments applied by a dentist. A person will typically brush for only one minute or less, which is generally an insufficient amount of time for a desensitizing agent to permeate into the pores and/or fissures within a person's teeth in a high enough concentration in order to desensitize the teeth. Nor are toothpastes able to provide a high enough concentration of desensitizing agent since toothpastes by necessity must include abrasives for cleaning the teeth, surfactants, fluoride, fillers and other agents.

More recently, dental compositions used for bleaching teeth have been developed that are able to be used in conjunction with a tray configured to fit over a person's teeth. Conventional dental trays, including those specifically adapted for delivering a medicament to a person's teeth as well as mouth guards used to protect a person's teeth while playing sports, remain in place by means of mechanical pressure exerted by the dental tray onto the person's teeth. Unfortunately, the exertion of mechanical pressure onto a person's teeth can create significant discomfort and cause a disincentive for continuing a tooth treatment regimen.

For example, dental trays such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. Re 34,196 to Munro are adapted to provide a liquid-tight seal over the person's gums in order to retain a generally non-viscus bleaching composition against a person's teeth. Like dental trays that exert mechanical pressure onto a person's teeth, the dental trays according to Munro that exert enough pressure to create a liquid-tight seal about a person's gums can result in significant discomfort and result in diminished desire to complete a dental treatment regimen.

As set forth in the parent applications identified above, e.g. U.S. application Ser. No. 07/497,934, the inventor has developed flexible, thin-walled dental trays that exert little or no significant mechanical pressure on a person's teeth when in place to provide a more comfortable fit. The inventive dental trays optionally include reservoirs for providing more of a dental composition against one or more of the person's teeth. Furthermore, the dental tray can alternatively be configured to overlap a portion of the person's gums or it may be trimmed at or below the gingival margin in order to maintain the dental composition away from the person's gums. In either scenario, the inventive dental trays exert little or no significant mechanical pressure onto the person's teeth or gums so that the trays are more pleasant to use.

Unfortunately, since the comfortable dental trays exert little or no significant mechanical pressure onto a person's teeth or gums, the dental trays could fall from a person's teeth or otherwise be dislodged, thereby interrupting or disturbing the treatment regimen. Since neither desensitizing agents used in the dental office, which are non-viscous fluids, or toothpastes that include a desensitizing agent are adapted for use with dental trays, there has not heretofore existed a dental composition for treating sensitive teeth that could be used in conjunction with the comfortable-fitting dental trays developed by the inventor.

In light of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that what is needed in the art are improved compositions and methods for treating sensitive teeth that could provide treatment more frequently than during dental visits.

Additionally, it would be a significant advancement in the art to provide improved compositions and methods for treating sensitive teeth which could be used frequently, but which provides more prolonged treatment for an extended period of time compared to conventional toothpastes.

It would be another significant advancement in the art to provide compositions and methods for treating sensitive teeth which allow more of the desensitizing agent to permeate into the pores and/or fissures within a person's teeth in order to provide greater desensitization.

It would be an additional advancement in the art to provide dental compositions and methods for treating sensitive teeth that could be adapted for use by disabled or semi-debilitated people who may not have the strength, coordination, or ability to brush their teeth without the assistance of others.

It would further be an advancement in the art to provide compositions for treating sensitive teeth which could optionally include other dental agents, such as antimicrobial agents or anticariogenic agents, for treating other tooth and/or gum ailments.

Finally, it would be a further improvement in the art to provide compositions for treating sensitive teeth that were sufficiently sticky and resistant to dilution by saliva such that they had the ability to adhere and retain a flexible, thin-walled dental tray against a person's teeth, wherein the dental tray did not exert significant mechanical pressures onto the person's teeth or gums.

Such compositions and methods for treating sensitive teeth are disclosed and claimed herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to sticky dental compositions that include a desensitizing agent for treating sensitive teeth. The dental compositions include a sticky matrix material into which the desensitizing agent and, optionally, other dental agents are dispersed. An improved dental tray that is preferably thin-walled, flexible and lightweight is preferably used to hold the dental composition adjacent to the person's tooth surfaces to be treated. The preferred dental tray should be adapted for maximum comfort and will exert little if any significant mechanical pressure onto the person's teeth or gums. Accordingly, the improved dental compositions should be sufficiently sticky and resistant to dilation by saliva such that they can act as a glue and reliably adhere and retain the dental tray over the person's teeth for varying time durations.

The tooth desensitizing agent is preferably dispersed within a sticky, glue-like matrix material to form the sticky dental composition. Suitable sticky matrix materials are preferably safe for oral use, do not readily dissolve in saliva, and do not react with the tooth desensitizing agent. One currently preferred sticky matrix material includes carboxypolymethylene together with other suitable admixtures. The term "carboxypolymethylene" is used to denote a broad category of polymers, particularly copolymers of acrylic acid and polyallyl sucrose. Because carboxypolymethylene includes carboxylic acid groups or moieties, it can be classified as a weak acid. When dispersed in water, carboxypolymethylene can have a pH as low as about 2.5.

Although water is only optionally included within the compositions of the present invention, since a person's mouth includes saliva, which is aqueous, it would generally be detrimental to a person's teeth to apply a composition that can become acidic in the presence of saliva, since acids can attack tooth enamel. Accordingly, it is preferable to adjust the pH of compositions that include carboxypolymethylene with a range from about 4 to about 9, more preferably in a range from about 5 to about 7. Because it is contemplated that the carboxypolymethylene used in the matrix material and the compositions of the present invention will be neutralized to a certain extent, the term "carboxypolymethylene" shall include carboxypolymethylene polymers at any pH, whether in a neutralized, partially neutralized, or non-neutralized form.

The matrix material can include other optional components in addition to the carboxypolymethylene in order to provide bulk and also to yield a matrix material having the desired level of stickiness. One such admixture is glycerin, which is easily mixed with carboxypolymethylene. Another optional component is water, as set forth above. It is preferable to use a base in order to adjust the pH of the matrix material. Preferred bases can include inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide. Alternatively, the base may include an organic base such as triethanolamine or other organic amines.

Because the compositions and methods of the present invention are directed to desensitizing a person's teeth, a suitable desensitizing agent is dispersed within the matrix material in order to contact the person's tooth surfaces over a desired period of time. Examples of preferred desensitizing agents within the scope of the present invention include potassium nitrate (KNO₃), citric acid, citric acid salts, strontium chloride, and the like. Since desensitizing agents must penetrate into the pores of a person's teeth in order to reach the nerves within the dental pulp, the sticky compositions of the present invention allow for prolonged contact between the dental agent and the person's teeth.

In addition to potassium nitrate, other dental agents can be added to provide other useful properties or activities to the dental compositions. For example, fluoride salts can be added in order to add an anticariogenic property to the tooth desensitizing compositions. Peroxides can also be added in order to provide a disinfecting action and/or provide bleaching of stained teeth. Since peroxides are known to cause irritation and also greater sensitivity in teeth, the simultaneous inclusion of a desensitizing agent can offset the negative effects of the peroxide. Examples of preferred antimicrobial agents that can be added to fight gum diseases include chlorhexadine, tetracycline, cetyl pyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, cetyl pyridinium bromide, methyl benzoate, and propyl benzoate.

The desensitizing dental compositions within the scope of the present invention are sufficiently sticky and generally viscous such that positive pressure is needed to dispense them from the container; gravity is not sufficient. Unlike conventional low-viscosity compositions such as GLY-OXIDE (manufactured by Marion Laboratories) or PROXIGEL (manufactured by Reed and Carnick according to U.S. Pat. No. 3,657,413 to Rosenthal), the desensitizing dental compositions of the present invention cannot be dispensed drop-wise from a bottle. A syringe, squeezable tube, or other similar positive pressure dispensing device is needed to dispense the dental compositions within the scope of the present invention.

An improved dental tray that is thin-walled, flexible and lightweight for holding the dental composition adjacent to a person's teeth is preferably used in combination with the desensitizing dental compositions of the present invention. The general process for preparing such dental trays is as follows. First, an alginate impression which registers all teeth surfaces plus the gingival margin is made and a stone cast is made of the impression. Optional reservoirs can be prepared by building a layer of rigid material on the stone cast on specific teeth surfaces to be treated. A dental tray is then vacuum formed from the modified cast using a thin, flexible membrane material. Once formed, the tray is preferably trimmed barely shy of the gingival margin on both the buccal and lingual surfaces of the person's teeth. The resulting tray provides a perfect fit of the person's teeth with optional reservoirs or spaces located where the rigid material was placed on the stone cast. The trays can optionally overlap the gums if desired to provide contact between the dental compositions and a person's gums. The trays of the present invention have greatly increased comfort and exert little or no significant mechanical pressure on a person's teeth or gums. Instead, the sticky dental compositions act like a glue to hold the inventive trays in place.

The amount of tooth desensitization obtained during use of the inventive compositions and methods is dependent upon (1) the length of time each day the tray is worn; (2) the number of days the tray is worn; and (3) the susceptibility of the teeth to the desensitizing agent. The treatment schedule may be tailored to each person's lifestyle or response to the treatment and can be performed as often as a person desires to provide effective relief from sensitive teeth. It has been found that treatment during sleep is a good treatment time of the day since less mouth activity will pump the bleaching composition from the tray.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide compositions and methods for treating sensitive teeth that can provide treatment more frequently than during dental visits.

Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved compositions and methods for treating sensitive teeth which can be used frequently but which provide prolonged treatment for an extended period of time compared to conventional desensitizing toothpastes.

It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide compositions and methods for treating sensitive teeth which allow more of the desensitizing agent to permeate into the pores and/or fissures within a person's teeth in order to provide greater desensitization.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide dental compositions and methods for treating sensitive teeth that can be adapted for use by disabled or semi-debilitated people who may not have the strength, coordination, or ability to brush their teeth without the assistance of others.

It is another object to provide compositions for treating sensitive teeth which can optionally include other dental agents, such as antimicrobial agents or anticariogenic agents, for treating other tooth and/or gum ailments.

Finally, it is an object and feature of this invention to provide compositions for treating sensitive teeth that are sufficiently sticky and resistant to dilution by saliva such that they have the ability to adhere and retain a flexible, thin-walled dental tray against a person's teeth, wherein the dental tray does not exert significant mechanical pressures onto the person's teeth or gums.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the description as follows, or may be learned by the practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stone cast of a patient's teeth with a rigid coating being applied to selected teeth surfaces.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stone cast of FIG. 1 with a dental tray formed from the cast and rimmed below the gingival margin.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged close-up view taken within the section line 3A--3A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As summarized above, the present invention generally relates to sticky, glue-like dental compositions and methods for treating sensitive teeth. Such compositions are preferably used in conjunction with improved dental trays that are preferably thin-walled, flexible, and lightweight for holding the dental composition adjacent the person's tooth surfaces. Such trays exert little or no significant mechanical pressure onto the person's teeth and/or gums, which makes them more comfortable and pleasant to use compared to other dental trays. It is the glue-like action of the dental compositions that adheres and retains the tray to a person's teeth. Prior dental treatments that employed a dental tray have employed non-viscous, non-sticky liquids that rely on the mechanical pressure of the tray to hold and retain the tray against the person's teeth.

The inventive dental compositions include a desensitizing agent that is dispersed within a sticky matrix material. Suitable sticky matrix materials are preferably safe for oral use, do not readily dissolve in saliva, and do not react with or inactivate the desensitizing agent. One currently preferred sticky matrix material includes carboxypolymethylene together with other suitable admixtures. Carboxypolymethylene is a broad term that refers to vinyl polymers having active carboxyl groups. Suitable carboxypolymethylene compositions may be obtained from B. F. Goodrich Company under the tradename "CARBOPOL". Another tradename for carboxypolymethylene is CARBOMER. In its non-neutralized form, carboxypolymethylene can have a pH as low as 2.5. As discussed below, the pH of carboxypolymethylene can be raised to yield carboxypolymethylene in a neutralized or partially neutralized state.

The amount of carboxypolymethylene within the inventive dental compositions can vary depending on the desired level of stickiness and also the identities and amounts of the other components within the dental composition. With the understanding that it is the concept of stickiness or adhesive ability that is the important feature of the compositions of the present invention, one of ordinary skill in the art can alter the concentrations of the various components to yield dental compositions that are able to exert an adhesive force sufficient to reliably adhere and maintain a dental tray against a person's teeth without significant mechanical pressure being exerted by the dental tray. In general, the dental compositions of the present invention will preferably include carboxypolymethylene in a concentration in a range from about 0.5% to about 20% by weight of the dental composition, more preferably in a range from about 2% to about 12% and most preferably in a range from about 3% to about 10%.

It should be understood that the actual amount of carboxypolymethylene is not critical. The important thing is that the composition have the required amount of stickiness and adhesive ability. The matrix material may include other tackifying components that in combination with, or in lieu of some or all of, the carboxypolymethylene will yield a dental composition having the desired level of stickiness needed to hold a dental tray in place over a person's teeth. Other synthetic polymers and/or natural gums, proteins, or other gel-forming admixtures can be used so long as they yield a sticky dental composition.

One currently preferred carboxypolymethylene resin is known by the tradename CARBOPOL 934P. CARBOPOL 934P is a high purity pharmaceutical grade of CARBOPOL 934, having an approximate molecular weight of about 3,000,000. In addition to thickening, suspending, and emulsifying, CARBOPOL 934P has been used in dry tablets to impart sustained release properties. Extensive toxicity studies have been conducted on CARBOPOL 934P, and a master file has been established with the Food and Drug Administration. It is listed as CARBOMER 934P in the National Formulary. A more recently preferred carboxypolymethylene is CARBOPOL 974P NF, which has more recently surpassed CARBOPOL 934P as the carboxypolymethylene of choice. Although CARBOPOL 974P NF is similar or identical in molecular weight compared to CARBOPOL 934P, it is purified in a way that makes it more pharmaceutically acceptable material.

It is believed that other carboxypolymethylene resins, such as CARBOPOL 940, may be substituted for CARBOPOL 934P or CARBOPOL 974P NF. However, based upon clinical and laboratory evaluations, it has been found that CARBOPOL 940 dilutes faster than either CARBOPOL 934P or CARBOPOL 974P NF. In addition, CARBOPOL 934P and CARBOPOL 974P NF are currently preferred because they are obtainable in a pharmaceutical grade. It was the inventor that first discovered that carboxypolymethylene can be used to form a glue-like dental composition that can be used as an adhesive to hold a dental tray against a person's teeth, which has eliminated the need to use dental trays that are self-retaining, i.e., which exert enough mechanical pressure onto a person's teeth and/or gums such that they will be reliably retained in place over a person's teeth for a desired period of time.

The sticky dental compositions within the scope of the present invention have a number of important characteristics in addition to stickiness and high viscosity. They are also resistant to dilution by saliva such that a significant quantity of saliva or water is required to lower the viscosity to the point that the dental composition may be diluted and washed out by salivating action. Because the carboxypolymethylene reduces the risk of dilution from saliva and increases the time for salivary dilution, the resulting dental compositions are able to provide prolonged exposure of the teeth to the dental agent within the dental composition. In addition, the stickiness of the compositions ensures good contact between the composition and the person's teeth.

In order to obtain good dispersion of the carboxypolymethylene resin within the dental composition, it is recommended that the carboxypolymethylene be mixed with a quantity of glycerine, other polyol, or like substance before attempting to add other components that are less compatible with carboxypolymethylene, such as water. Glycerine appears to enable larger quantities of carboxypolymethylene to be dispersed in water. It has also been observed that once the carboxypolymethylene and glycerine have been mixed, it is preferable to quickly disperse the resulting mixture in the water or else it can stiffen to the point where addition of water becomes impracticable. It is preferable that the concentration of glycerine, polyol, or like substance in the dental compositions of the present invention be in a range from about 20% to about 85% by weight of the dental compositions, more preferably in a range from about 30% to about 70% by weight.

Glycerine, other polyols, and the like are inexpensive fillers that work well in forming a sticky gel with carboxypolymethylene. Because glycerine is hydrophilic, it can act as an emulsifying agent if water is used. The glycerine also provides some flavor enhancement such that a bland, sweet flavor is perceived. A few possible substitutes for glycerine include propylene glycol, polypropylene glycols, sorbitol, polyethylene glycols, other polyols, and the like. Ethylene glycol would also work but is disfavored since it can be toxic if ingested in large enough amounts.

Water may also be included within the compositions of the present invention, although more carboxypolymethylene must generally be added as water is added to maintain the same level of stickiness. The amount of water included within the dental compositions of the present invention is preferably in a range from about 0% to about 50% by weight of the dental composition, more preferably in a range from about 2% to about 30% by weight. It will be appreciated that the total quantity of water in the dental composition may come from different sources. For instance, some dental agents and bases, discussed below, may come as aqueous solutions.

Because carboxypolymethylene is a polycarboxylic acid, it tends to lower the pH of the resulting dental compositions significantly, down to a pH of about 2-5 in some cases. It appears, based upon clinical and in vitro testing, that dental compositions with a pH below about 5 are able to etch enamel. To avoid etching enamel, it is preferable to add a base in order to raise the pH of the inventive dental compositions to within a pH range of about 4 to about 9, more preferably to within a range from about 5 to about 7. Inorganic and organic bases may be used, with the use of concentrated aqueous sodium hydroxide (50% NaOH in water) being one currently preferred embodiment. Organic bases, such as triethanolamine or other amines can be used. The amount of base to be included will generally depend on the desired pH and the amount of carboxypolymethylene in the dental composition. Accordingly, bases will preferably be included in a range from about 1% to about 12% by weight of the dental composition.

The term "carboxypolymethylene" shall be understood to include carboxypolymethylene resins at any pH, whether neutralized, partially neutralized or non-neutralized. The term shall also include carboxypolymethylene resins that have reacted with, formed complexes with, or otherwise been altered in any way by other components within the dental compositions of the present invention so long as the carboxypolymethylene is able to impart the desired level of stickiness to the final dental composition in combination with the other components within the dental composition.

Preferred tooth desensitizing agents according to the present invention include potassium nitrate, citric acid, citric acid salts, strontium chloride, and the like. The amount of desensitizing agent that will be included within the dental compositions of the present invention may vary according to the desired strength and intended treatment times. Accordingly, the desensitizing agent will preferably be included in an amount in a range from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the dental composition, more preferably in a range from about 1 to about 7% by weight. Other desensitizing agents are certainly within the scope of the present invention and their concentration can be adjusted by those of ordinary skill in the art to provide appropriate relief from sensitive teeth. The sticky dental compositions of the present invention can ensure good contact between the desensitizing agent and a person's teeth for extended periods of time.

In addition to the desensitizing agent, it may be preferable to include other active dental agents to provide other types of dental and/or gum treatment. For example, in conjunction with dental desensitization, it may be desired to provide an anticariogenic treatment. Preferred anticariogenic agents include fluoride salts, more particularly sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium fluoride, and stannous fluoride. Depending on the level of fluoride treatment desired, and depending on whether or not a composition is "over-the-counter" or "by prescription", the fluoride will be included in a range from about 0% to about 1% by weight of the dental composition, more preferably in a range from about 0.1% to about 0.5% by weight. Presently, a sodium monofluorophosphate level of 0.15% by weight is the highest allowable level of fluoride within non-prescription dental compositions, or 0.11% is NaF is used. Typically, 0.5% fluoride is the prescription level, assuming the use of sodium monofluorophosphate.

Antimicrobial agents, e.g., for fighting gum disease, may be included in conjunction with the potassium nitrate or other desensitizing agent. Examples of useful antimicrobial agents include chlorhexadine, tetracycline, cetyl pyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, cetyl pyridinium bromide, methyl benzoate, and propyl benzoate. The antimicrobial agents are preferably included in an amount in a range from about 0% to about 15% with the dental composition, more preferably in a range from about 1% to about 5% by weight.

In order to preserve the stability of the dental compositions, it is often preferable to include an ion scavenger such as EDTA, salts of EDTA, citric acid, succinic acid, and adipic acid, which are commonly-used chelating agents. Ion scavengers are preferably included in an amount in a range from about 0% to about 1% by weight of the dental composition, more preferably in a range from about 0.01% to about 0.5% by weight.

Finally, although most peroxides such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide have been found to be unstable in the presence of potassium nitrate, it may be possible to add peroxide to the dental compositions of the present invention shortly before treatment in order to combine the bleaching and/or antiseptic action of the peroxide with the desensitization action of the potassium nitrate. In the event that a stabilizing agent could be found that would make peroxides and potassium nitrate stable when mixed together without diminishing the effects of the potassium nitrate, such a combination certainly would be contemplated by the present invention.

An important characteristic of the sticky dental compositions within the scope of the present invention is that the compositions can still be observed, from a clinical standpoint, after about 3 to 7 hours of normal daytime activity and after about 7 to 10 hours of sleep. That is, the sticky, high viscosity dental composition is still observable in the dental tray after an extended period of time, such as at the end of the night, due to their ability to retain the dental tray firmly in place while the treatment regimen is in progress.

Unlike existing low-viscosity compositions, such as PROXYGEL, which are placed drop-by-drop into the tray, the dental compositions within the scope of the present invention have a viscosity such that they cannot be dispensed drop-wise into a dental tray from a bottle. Positive pressure is needed to expel the dental compositions of the present invention from the container; gravity is not sufficient.

One currently preferred method of dispensing the inventive dental compositions is by means of a syringe. Squeezable tubes and other similar dispensing devices may also be used to dispense the compositions. Upon dispensing, the dental compositions are sufficiently viscous that they do not easily settle or spread once dispensed, but will generally remain as a single extruded strand or bead of dental composition.

It is currently preferred to provide a unit dose of the dental compositions in a syringe or similar dispensing device. In this way, the person can load the precise amount of dental composition onto the dental tray for each treatment period. By using such dispensing devices, the dentist is also able to monitor how many doses the person has received and used.

Although not required, the dental compositions of the present invention are preferably used to treat a person's teeth in conjunction with dental trays that exert little or no significant mechanical pressure onto a person's teeth and gums. The result is a more comfortable and pleasant feeling dental tray, unlike prior art dental trays which are generally rigid and/or thick-walled such that they exert sufficient mechanical pressures onto the teeth and/or gums to be "self-retaining". That is, prior dental trays can be used with dental compositions which are neither sticky nor viscous since the compositions are not relied upon to adhere and retain the self-retaining prior art dental trays. In contrast, preferred dental trays used according to the present invention exert little if any significant mechanical pressure onto a person's teeth and/or gums.

In the general process for preparing the dental trays according to the present invention, an alginate impression is made which registers all teeth surfaces plus the gingival margin. Thereafter, a stone cast is made of the impression. Excess stone can be trimmed away for easy manipulation and forming the dental tray.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-4. In a preferred method for forming a dental tray, one or more reservoirs can be formed in the resultant dental tray by applying a thin coating 10 of a rigid material to the stone cast 12 corresponding to teeth where it is desired to provide more of the dental composition. As depicted in FIG. 1, the coating 10 may be applied using a brush tipped applicator 14. The coating may also be light curable for convenience. In those instances where the dental tray is to be trimmed below the gingival margin, the coating material will preferably be applied in a manner that is kept at a distance greater than about 1 mm from the gingival line 16, more preferably in a range from about 1.25 to about 1.5 mm from the gingival line 16.

The finished coating will have a thickness corresponding to the desired reservoir depth, which will commonly be about 0.5 mm. It is generally preferred that the rigid coating material not be applied over the stone cast corresponding to the incisal edges 18 and occlusal edges 20 of the person's teeth. This because it is preferable for the incisal edges and occlusal edges of the person's actual teeth to contact the finished tray in order to prevent or reduce vertical movement of the tray during use, which movement could act as a pump that could express the dental composition from the tray and result in the intake of saliva within the dental tray.

A dental tray 22 is then vacuum formed from the stone cast using conventional techniques. The dental tray 22 is preferably constructed of a soft transparent vinyl material preferably having a preformed thickness in a range from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm, more preferably in a range from about 1 mm to about 1.5 mm. Soft materials yield dental trays that are more comfortable for the patient to wear. It will be appreciated that the final tray thickness may vary depending on the technique used to prepare the tray, as well as the size and shape of the person's teeth. Patients suspected of being breuxers or hard biters may require either a thicker or a harder material. Of course, patients should be counselled not to eat with trays in place or to bite firmly into them.

Once formed, the dental tray 22 is preferably trimmed barely shy of the gingival margin 16 of the person's teeth on both the buccal and lingual surfaces for maximum comfort. Enough tray material should be left to assure that the teeth will be covered to within about 1/4 mm to about 1/3 mm of the gingival border upon finishing and beveling of the tray periphery. It is also generally preferred to scallop up and around the interdental papilla so that the finished tray does not cover them. The tray edges are preferably smoothed so that the lip and tongue will not feel an edge prominence. Slight adjustments to the tray may be made by carefully heating and stretching the tray material.

From practice, it has been found that patients may experience less tooth discomfort from tray pressures when using a tray with reservoirs built into the tray as described above. It is currently believed this is due to the fact that the teeth are not held as firmly by the tray, so "orthodontic" pressures experienced by teeth from tray discrepancies are minimized. The use of thin, soft tray materials further minimizes these "orthodontic" forces, compared to the harder plastics currently used in the art, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. Re 34,196 to Munro. Reservoirs, of course, provide more of the dental composition to the person's teeth corresponding to the reservoirs.

Although the aforementioned thin, flexible dental trays are preferred when treating a person's teeth, it may be preferable in some cases to allow the dental tray to overlap the person's gums in the case where dental agents are included to fight gum diseases. Of course, to the extent that the dental compositions do not irritate the gums, the dental trays can always be constructed to overlap the gums.

Nevertheless, it has been found that where it is desired to treat a person's teeth rather than the gums, it is generally more comfortable for the patient if the dental tray has been trimmed to or below the gingival margin. Even in those cases where the dental trays will overlap the person's gums, the dental trays of the present invention preferably will not exert significant mechanical pressure onto the person's gums. Contrast this with the prior dental trays according to U.S. Pat. No. Re 34,196 to Munro, which specifically teach the formation of a "liquid-type seal" between the rigid dental trays and the person's gums. The purpose for this, of course, is that Munro expressly teaches the use of PROXIGEL, which is not sufficiently sticky to reliably retain and hold a dental tray that exerts no significant mechanical pressure against a person's teeth and/or gums for long durations.

Because the dental trays made according to the present invention exert little or no mechanical pressure onto a person's teeth and gums, it is important that the inventive dental compositions be able to act a glue to reliably adhere and retain the dental tray over a person's teeth for the desired length of treatment. Accordingly, the dental compositions will preferably have a stickiness such that they can reliable adhere and retain a dental tray over a person's teeth for at least about one hour without significant mechanical pressure from the dental tray, more preferably for at least about two hours, and most preferably for at least about four hours. Nevertheless, while the foregoing time durations are given in order to provide an accurate measurement of the stickiness of the dental compositions of the present invention, they should not be taken to be a limitation as to the actual length of time that the patient may wish to use the inventive dental compositions. While a given dental composition may be able to retain the dental tray against a person's teeth for, e.g., 10 hours or more, that composition could certainly be used for 15 minutes, one hour, or for any desired time duration.

Although the use of flexible, thin-walled dental trays is certainly preferred, it is within the scope of the present invention to use the inventive sticky dental compositions with conventional trays. The increased adhesive action of the inventive dental compositions will ensure a more reliable mechanical and chemical contact between the active dental agents and the person's teeth regardless of the type of dental tray that is used. Nevertheless, it is preferable to use the inventive dental trays since they are clearly more comfortable to use compared to prior dental trays that mechanically lock themselves over a person's teeth and/or gums in a kind of press-fit arrangement.

The dental compositions of the present invention may be used at any time and for any duration by a person that is experiencing sensitive teeth. Although the dental compositions of the present invention facilitate the use of flexible, thin-walled dental trays that are more comfortable to use compared to prior dental trays, the insertion of any dental tray within a person's mouth will cause some alteration of behavior and diminution of the freedom to use one's mouth. Therefore, in order to maximize treatment time and reduce the inconvenience of having a dental tray lodged within a person's mouth, it is recommended to use the dental trays at night during a person's sleep.

Typical treatment times for night use will range from between 5 to 10 hours depending on the length a person remains in bed. For day use, the desensitizing dental compositions of the present invention have been found to provide some relief for treatment times as little as 15 minutes, although treatment times of one to three hours are recommended.

Regardless of which treatment schedule is used, the use of the sticky dental compositions within the scope of the present invention provides a more constant level of desensitizing activity compared to home-use compositions, such as toothpaste. Since the amount and length of time the active desensitizing agent is adjacent the teeth significantly influences the efficiency of the treatment, the sticky bleaching compositions and methods of the present invention represent a significant improvement over existing home-use tooth desensitizing systems.

In order to more clearly illustrate the parameters of the inventive dental compositions within the scope of the present invention, the following examples are presented. The following examples are intended to be exemplary and should not be viewed as limiting to the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

A sticky tooth desensitizing dental composition within the scope of the present invention was prepared by combining the following ingredients in the following proportions:

    ______________________________________     Water             20%     KNO.sub.3         2%     CARBOPOL 974P NF  4%     Sodium hydroxide (50%)                       5.4%     Disodium EDTA     0.1%     NaF               0.11%     Glycerine         68.4%     ______________________________________

The CARBOPOL 974P NF was obtained from B. F. Goodrich Company in Cleveland, Ohio. The CARBOPOL 974P NF was first combined with the glycerine and then mixed with the water. The glycerine enabled the CARBOPOL 974P NF to be more easily mixed with the water. The KNO₃ and disodium EDTA were added to the mixture, after which the sodium hydroxide was blended into the homogeneous composition in order to raise the pH to an acceptable level. The resulting dental composition had both desensitizing and anticariogenic properties, and was sufficiently sticky that it could reliably hold and maintain a dental tray against a person's teeth without significant mechanical pressure being exerted by the tray onto a person's teeth and gums.

EXAMPLE 2

A sticky desensitizing dental composition within the scope of the present invention was made according to the procedure of Example 1, except that the water was excluded such that the remaining components were combined in the following amounts:

    ______________________________________     KNO.sub.3         2%     CARBOPOL 974P NF  2.5%     Disodium EDTA     0.1%     Sodium fluoride (NaF)                       0.11%     Sodium hydroxide (50%)                       5.4%     Glycerine         89.9%     ______________________________________

The foregoing procedure resulted in a sticky dental composition. The resulting dental composition had both desensitizing and anticariogenic properties, and was sufficiently sticky that it could reliably hold and maintain a dental tray against a person's teeth without significant mechanical pressure on the patient's teeth and gums.

EXAMPLE 3

A dental composition within the scope of the present invention is made according to the procedure of Example 1, except that the ingredients are combined in the following concentrations by weight %:

    ______________________________________     KNO.sub.3               0.5%     Water                   20     Glycerine               63.6%     CARBOPOL 974P NF        7%     Sodium hydroxide (50%)  9.4%     ______________________________________

The foregoing procedure results in a sticky dental composition having reduced but significant desensitizing activity.

EXAMPLE 4

A dental composition within the scope of the present invention is made according to the procedure of Example 1, except that the ingredients are combined in the following concentrations by weight %:

    ______________________________________     KNO.sub.3         1%     Water             10%     Polyethylene glycol                       80.8%     CARBOPOL 974P NF  3.5%     Sodium hydroxide (50%)                       4.7%     ______________________________________

The foregoing procedure results in a sticky dental composition having reduced but significant desensitizing activity.

EXAMPLE 5

A dental composition within the scope of the present invention is made according to the procedure of Example 1, except that the ingredients are combined in the following concentration by weight %:

    ______________________________________     KNO.sub.3         7%     Water             30%     Propylene glycol  46.6%     CARBOPOL 974P NF  7%     Sodium hydroxide (50%)                       9.4%     ______________________________________

The foregoing procedure results in a sticky dental composition having a high level of desensitizing activity.

EXAMPLE 6

A dental composition within the scope of the present invention is made according to the procedure of Example 1, except that the ingredients are combined in the following concentrations by weight %:

    ______________________________________     KNO.sub.3         10%     Water             15%     Sorbitol          65.6%     CARBOPOL 974P NF  4%     Sodium hydroxide (50%)                       5.4%     ______________________________________

The foregoing procedure results in a sticky dental composition having a high level of desensitizing activity.

EXAMPLE 7

A dental composition within the scope of the present invention is made according to the procedure of Example 1, except that the ingredients are combined in the following concentrations by weight %:

    ______________________________________     KNO.sub.3         5%     Water             5%     Polypropylene glycol                       77.7%     CARBOPOL 974P NF  5%     Sodium hydroxide  6.7%     Sodium EDTA       0.5%     NaF               0.11%     ______________________________________

The foregoing procedure results in a sticky dental composition having a moderate to high level of desensitization activity and a high level of anticariogenic activity.

EXAMPLE 8

A dental composition within the scope of the present invention is made according to the procedure of Example 1, except that the ingredients are combined in the following concentrations by weight %:

    ______________________________________     KNO.sub.3         2%     Glycerine         92.9%     CARBOPOL 974P NF  3%     Triethanolamine   2%     Disodium EDTA     0.1%     ______________________________________

The foregoing procedure results in a sticky dental composition that is combined with urea peroxide (10 wt %) just prior to treatment to yield a dental composition having bleaching activity as well as desensitizing activity.

EXAMPLE 9

To any of the foregoing dental compositions is added one or more of the following antimicrobial agents for treatment of a patient's gums: chlorhexadine, tetracycline, cetyl pyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, cetyl pyridinium bromide, methyl benzoate, and propyl benzoate. These compositions are preferably used in conjunction with a thin walled, flexible dental tray that overlaps the person's gums in order for the dental compositions to contact the gums being treated.

EXAMPLE 10

To any of the foregoing dental compositions is added one of the following chelating agents: EDTA, monosodium EDTA, citric acid, succinic acid, and adipic acid.

In some cases, the sticky dental compositions may be used without a dental tray. For example, a sticky dental composition having an antimicrobial agent may be expressed directly into periodontal pockets. In such compositions, it would be preferred to maximize the carboxypolymethylene concentration and minimize the amount of added water so that the effects of saliva dilution are minimized. In addition, mucosal adhesive materials may be added to the composition to further assist in retaining the composition within the periodontal pocket. The prolonged activity of the dental agent within the sticky gel may last from hours to days, depending on the patient's oral and salival activity.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides compositions and methods for treating sensitive teeth that can provide treatment more frequently than during dental visits.

Additionally, it will be appreciated that the present invention further provides improved compositions and methods for treating sensitive teeth which can be used frequently and which provide prolonged treatment for an extended period of time compared to conventional desensitizing toothpastes.

It will further be appreciated that the present invention provides compositions and methods for treating sensitive teeth which allow more of the desensitizing agent to permeate into the pores and/or fissures within a person's teeth in order to provide greater desensitization.

Further, the present invention provides dental compositions and methods for treating sensitive teeth that can be adapted for use by disabled or semi-debilitated people who may not have the strength, coordination, ability to brush their teeth without the assistance of others.

The present invention also provides dental compositions for treating sensitive teeth which optionally include other dental agents for treating teeth and/or gums, such as antimicrobial or anticariogenic agents.

Finally, the present invention provides compositions for treating sensitive teeth that are sufficiently sticky and resistant to dilution by saliva such that they have the ability to adhere and retain a flexible, thin-walled dental tray against a person's teeth, wherein the dental tray does not exert significant mechanical pressures onto the person's teeth or gums.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:
 1. A method for treating sensitive teeth comprising:(a) providing a dental tray configured to cover a person's teeth and hold a quantity of a dental composition therein, the dental tray further being configured so that it is designed not to exert mechanical pressure onto the person's teeth and gums; (b) placing a quantity of a tooth desensitizing dental composition within the dental tray, the dental composition including a desensitizing agent for reducing dental pain sensations and a tackifying agent selected from the group consisting of carboxypolymethylene, gums, proteins, and mixtures thereof; (c) positioning the dental tray over the person's teeth for a prescribed treatment period, the dental composition adhering and retaining the dental tray over the person's teeth during the prescribed treatment period; and (d) removing the dental tray from the person's teeth.
 2. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the dental tray is positioned over the person's teeth for at least about fifteen minutes.
 3. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the dental tray is positioned over the person's teeth for at least about one hour.
 4. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the dental tray is positioned over the person's teeth for at least about two hours.
 5. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the dental tray is positioned over the person's teeth for at least about four hours.
 6. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the dental tray is configured to cover the person's teeth and gums.
 7. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 6, wherein the dental composition further includes an antimicrobial agent for treating gum disease.
 8. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the dental tray is configured so that it terminates below the person's gingival margin.
 9. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the dental composition further includes an anticariogenic agent.
 10. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the tackifying agent includes carboxypolymethylene in a concentration in a range from about 0.5% to about 20% by weight of the dental composition.
 11. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the tackifying agent includes carboxypolymethylene in a concentration in a range from about 2% to about 12% by weight of the dental composition.
 12. A method for treating sensitive teeth comprising:(a) providing a dental tray configured to cover a person's teeth and hold a quantity of a dental composition therein; (b) placing a quantity of a desensitizing dental composition within the dental tray, the desensitizing dental composition having a stickiness in order that the dental composition is capable of retaining and holding a dental tray that is designed not to exert mechanical pressure onto a person's teeth and gums over a person's teeth for at least about one hour, the dental composition comprising:(i) a desensitizing agent for reducing dental pain sensations; and (ii) a tackifying agent selected from the group consisting of gums, proteins, carboxypolymethylene, and mixtures thereof; (c) positioning the dental tray provided in step (a) over the person's teeth for a prescribed treatment period; and (d) removing the dental tray from the person's teeth.
 13. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 12, wherein the dental tray is designed not to exert any significant mechanical pressure onto the person's teeth and gums.
 14. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 12, wherein the dental tray is further configured to include one or more reservoirs for holding additional dental composition against one or more corresponding teeth.
 15. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 12, wherein the dental composition further includes an anticariogenic agent.
 16. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 12, wherein the dental composition further includes an antimicrobial agent.
 17. A method for simultaneously treating sensitive teeth and diseased gums comprising:(a) providing a dental tray configured to cover a person's teeth and gums and hold a quantity of a dental composition therein, the dental tray further being configured so that it is designed not to exert mechanical pressure onto the person's teeth and gums; (b) placing a quantity of a desensitizing dental composition within the dental tray, the dental composition including a desensitizing agent for reducing dental pain sensations and a tackifying agent comprising carboxypolymethylene neutralized to a pH in a range from about 4 to about 9; (c) positioning the dental tray over the person's teeth and gums for a prescribed treatment period, the dental composition adhering and retaining the dental tray over the person's teeth during the prescribed treatment period; and (d) removing the dental tray from the person's teeth.
 18. A method for simultaneously treating sensitive teeth and diseased gums as defined in claim 17, wherein the dental composition further includes an anticariogenic agent.
 19. A method for simultaneously treating sensitive teeth and diseased gums as defined in claim 17, wherein the dental tray is positioned over the person's teeth for at least about one hour.
 20. A method for simultaneously treating sensitive teeth and diseased gums as defined in claim 17, wherein the dental composition further includes water and a polyol.
 21. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 1, wherein the dental composition further includes a bleaching agent.
 22. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 12, wherein the dental composition further includes a bleaching agent.
 23. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 17, wherein the dental composition further includes a bleaching agent.
 24. A method for treating sensitive teeth as defined in claim 17, wherein the dental composition further includes an antimicrobial agent. 